after they met her

nine

i v a n a

Sitting in the passenger seat of the car, I watched the world outside the window transform from the still unfamiliar mansion to the vibrant chaos of a new city.

Tall buildings loomed overhead, casting long shadows on the bustling streets below. People hurried past, their faces obscured by the anonymity of the crowd, each lost in their own world of thoughts and worries.

I wonder if anyone else has their first day today?

As the car weaved through the traffic, my nerves grew more pronounced with each passing moment. I started to fidget with the strap of my backpack, my mind racing with all of those different emotions.

Starting at a new school was daunting enough, but with Raymond beside me, it was a constant reminder of the dangers lurking in the shadows, my anxiety threatened to overwhelm me.

Glancing at Raymond, who remained silent beside me, I couldn't help but feel lonely.

The car continued its journey, Raymond's steadfast silence only served to heighten my uneasiness. With each passing mile, the knot of anxiety in my stomach tightened.

Maybe we will drive home if I throw up in the car.

I tried to focus on the scenery outside again, on the unfamiliar sights and sounds of the city rushing past, but my thoughts kept circling back to the daunting prospect of going back to high school.

As we arrived and Ray hopped out of the car, my heart raced.

He opened the door for me and my eyes instantly glued to the ground, I felt a pang of anxiety at the thought of stepping into a new school where everyone might stare at me. I wasn't a fan of being in the spotlight.

Ray, on the other hand, with his strong arms and confident walk, didn't seem bothered at all by the attention he attracted right away.

With a playful wink at me, he gestured for me to follow him. As we walked towards the school building, I stuck close to Ray, finding comfort in his presence.

I stole glances at him, admiring his confidence and wishing I could borrow some of it for today.

"Hey, look at all the eyes are on us," Ray remarked with a smirk, nodding towards a group of students who were whispering and pointing in our direction.

I felt my cheeks flush with embarrassment, wishing I could disappear into the crowd.

"Let's just find our timetables and get to class," I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper. Ray chuckled, surprisingly wrapping an arm around my shoulders protectively.

"Don't worry, I've got your back," he assured me, flashing a dazzling smile that made my heart flutter.

As we entered the school office, I felt a rush of relief at being shielded from the prying eyes outside. After collecting our schedules, we made our way through the bustling hallways.

Finally arriving at our classroom, where our teacher was already waiting for us. Ray stepped forward confidently, introducing himself and me to our new teacher with a charm that did not fail to impress. No one seemed to mind that Ray looked older.

Ray and I made our grand entrance into the classroom, the atmosphere crackled with curiosity and whispers. My nerves were in complete chaos as I followed closely behind Ray, my steps small and hesitant.

I could feel the eyes of the entire class boring into me, each glance like a weight upon my shoulders. Maybe I chose the wrong outfit. I should have worn all black.